Drug-Related Crime

High levels of violent crime in the New England HIDTA region are often associated with the distribution and abuse of illicit drugs, particularly heroin and crack cocaine. Heroin and crack cocaine distributors commonly commit violent crimes to protect and expand their drug operations and to collect drug debts. For instance, law enforcement officials in Vermont report that numerous robberies, thefts, and shootings have occurred as a result of unpaid drug debts and, further, that some drug traffickers have been murdered for their drug proceeds. Home invasions are a particular problem for law enforcement officials because victims are often drug traffickers who either do not report the crime or do not admit that their drugs or drug proceeds have been stolen when they do report the crime. Additionally, some drug traffickers have engaged in witness intimidation and have contracted to have witnesses killed.

The abuse of heroin and crack cocaine has also been associated with domestic violence, including child neglect, child abuse, and spousal abuse. Some abusers also commit property crimes such as burglary, forgery, fraud, and theft to support their addictions. Additionally, the number of bank robberies in the area committed by prescription narcotics abusers in an attempt to finance their addictions has recently increased.

Street gangs involved in drug distribution pose particular public safety concerns in the New England HIDTA region. Most street gang members distribute cocaine, marijuana, and heroin, and a number have been implicated in assaults, home invasions and shootings, robberies, and thefts. Further, many gang members reportedly purchase stolen weapons such as Tec-9s, Uzis, and sawed-off shotguns, which they then sell to other gang members and criminals in the New England HIDTA region.

To Top      To Contents     To Previous Page     To Next Page

To Publications Page     To Home Page